12 y.o dd just been scouted by top London model agency, isn't she too young?!

[seakelp]

A woman approached my dd and asked her if she'd been scouted before, she said no, she then gave her a card and I've checked the agency out, it's basically v. well known indeed.

My dd is only 12 though, surely it's a big mistake?

[dementedma]

haven't read all the thread but in answer to your question, yes, 12 is too young! You know it is.

[worraliberty]

FWIW seeker I agree 12 is too young but your question was 'why would a parent want their daughter to be a model'

I think once the daughter is old enough to decide for themselves, it doesn't boil down to what the parent wants.

[MistressFrankly]

I cant say that i would want dd to be a model but if it was what she wanted then she would have my support as i think i am the only one with her interests at heart.
I dont think you can write off a career your dc may love because of the potential dangers. There are many careers with similar pitfalls such as music and acting (britany/muckaly culkin?)Saying no outright would make them seem or the more appealing. I would say they can look into it if they kept up with school and followed some ground rules that satisfied your concerns.
All we can do is try to put a level head on our childrens shoulders and be there to advise and support.

[doozle]

Wise words, mistressfrankly.

[greenplastictrees]

Seakhelp - dp's younger sister has done some modelling and is currently signed for a top agency. Their pastoral care has been great but before that she was signed to another big one who weren't so good. They put heron some very bad situations. I don't want to name names here but if you'd like to hear the experiences then send me a message!

[worraliberty]

Agreed MistressFrankly

Think how many parents encourage their kids to play an instrument/sing/dance.

If they got really good at it and were talent spotted, would they immediately not let them make a career out of it because the entertainment industry is full of reports of drug taking/alcoholism/promiscuity/other negative things?

[BornInAfrica]

Jamieagain. I think I might love you!

And round our way it's a 'face like a bulldog licking the piss off a nettle' - which is, incidentally, my default setting!

[BornInAfrica]

Worra - it's not just the entertainment industry or the modelling business. It's everywhere. OH out last night with a load of Doctors and nurses - he's come home shellshocked at the amount of coke doing the rounds ffs - and that's before the drunken shagging on the beach!

[JJ]

Ruth Crilly who writes A Model Recommends has a post on what she thinks is the best age to start modelling: www.amodelrecommends.com/2011/05/17/model-faq-at-what-age-should-i-start-modelling/

(It's a good beauty blog, too!)

[CaptainBizarro]

I think the point is the entertainment industry fosters an actual talent.They don't compare in any way, shape or form.

I'd be really worried for my DD if this ever happened (she's only 11 MO so a way off yet ) because I can imagine it would capture the imagination of a 12 year old who isn't worldly-wise enough to understand all the pitfalls and long-term effects.

And likewise I wouldn't want to ban her from doing something she really wanted to do. In fact, I would take far more heart from a situation like the OP describes, where her DD actually isn't desperately keen to get her foot in the door of the modelling world. She sounds like she has her head screwed on way more than another 12 YO who would be clamering to do it.

I dunno - I just think any industry that tries to sell clothes to women by modelling them on girls whose bodies only bare a passing resemblance to a woman's is highly suspect.

[worraliberty]

It's true Africa...is no profession clean and wholesome any more?

I've never been the same since I saw the School Lollipop lady getting her bits out for the WI's yearly calender

February will never be the same again

[BornInAfrica]

Oh strewth Worra - that must have been upsetting for you! I did think you were going to say she got them out on the school crossing - now THAT would have been a story worth the telling!

[worraliberty]

I think the point is the entertainment industry fosters an actual talent.They don't compare in any way, shape or form.

So there's no need to worry about them being 'exploited'..being exposed to drugs, being encouraged to stay too thin, alcoholism, being image concious, coping with rejection...and all the other 'pitfalls' people claim there are...as long as they have a 'talent'?

My point is (as you've kind of proven) If your child is 'gifted and talented' at singing/dancing/acting and you encourage them into what is considered a pretty dangerous profession, why wouldn't you encourage them into modelling because they have a certain 'look' and it's what they want to do?

The pitfalls are the same are they not?

[worraliberty]

No need Africa she's got a face that could stop a clock..her tits could also stop traffic..but then again so does her 'seductive' lollipop licking at 9am on a Monday morning

[custardismyhamster]

seeker your DD is a very pretty girl-beautiful hair :)

[MistressFrankly]

Captain i have worked around the music business my whole working life and i can say it is no better than the modelling industry. It doesnt always foster talent and can be brutal and there is a ton of peer pressure. Image is very important and sometimes way more than the music itself. And like modelling women are not always represented or treated well. Artists are surrounded by sycophants and parasites. But like modelling there is the opportunity for a great career and amazing experiences if you navigate the pitfalls wisely.

[LineRunner]

I'm back - I'm the 'bitter', 'angry', 'envious', 'aggressive' one!

Actually I was off with my lovely teenage daughter buying lovely clothes looking quite lovely myself and arranging to see my lovely toy boy.

I just think that a 12 year old child, fashion modelling and 'good idea' do not sit well together. It's my view. The OP asked.

[TalkinPeace2]

Why is 12 too young for modelling?
www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Mini-Boden-Clothing.html#bc
www.johnlewis.com/Baby+and+Child/Girlswear/Category.aspx
www.gap.com/products/girls-clothing.jsp

the catalogues use LOTS AND LOTS of kids - and the work can be fitted around school and the money goes into trust accounts

Sounds like an EXCELLENT opportunity so long as there are NO up front costs to the OP and the agency checks out

[MistressFrankly]

Worra the imageof lollypopladybits on show for WI is truely horrific! My local LPL is about 90 and i really dont want to imagine her licking anything at 9am. Or ever,

[LineRunner]

Well I'm assuming this isn't just kids' catalogue modelling otherwise why would the OP even bother asking if 12 is too young? Obviously 12 isn't too young for stuff that kids do from birth, eg model wellies or play with toys.

This would appear to be fashion industry modelling of clothes aimed at the (thin) women's fashion market.

[TalkinPeace2]

Did OP say that
or did everybody assume
and did maybe OP assume Kate moss rather than M&S kids

[worraliberty]

MistressFrankly

That's the thing Talkin the OP obviously doesn't know and anyone else has only assumed.

[LineRunner]

The OP does later talk about her daughter being very tall, gorgeous etc.

[doozle]

I think it's a fair assumption it's for fashion industry modelling.